today i learned: not all goldbloods are psionics (zebede). however, zebede seems to have some influence over animals (the BEES), but isn't animal manipulation a bronzeblood thing?

Remember that Sollux made his Bees go to sleep with a snap of his fingers! It seems that Golds may still have a degree of control over some animals- Given the nature of Gold Psychic Powers, though, I’d say it is more of an electrical impulse signal to direct certain lower creatures rather than straight up beast communion.